{{Short description|Australian hip hop group}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist | name = 1200 Techniques | image = | caption = | origin = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|funk}} | years_active = {{hlist|{{start date|1997}}–{{end date|2005}}|{{start date|2014}}–current}} | label = Rubber/Sony | website = | current_members = * DJ Peril * Nfamas (N'Fa Forster-Jones) * Kemstar }}
'''1200 Techniques''' are an Australian hip hop group formed in 1997 in Melbourne, Australia, consisting of DJ Peril (Jason Foretti) as producer, percussionist, DJ; N'fa Forster-Jones as lead vocalist (under the name Nfamas) and Kemstar (DJ Peril's brother, Simon Foretti) as lead guitarist. Whilst primarily being in the genre of hip hop, they drew influences from other genres including rock, funk, soul, electro, drum and bass, electro jazz and breakbeat.<ref name=take40>{{cite web|title=1200 Techniques Biography|url=http://www.take40.com/artists/143/1200-techniques/bio|work=Take40.com|accessdate=25 April 2013|archive-date=30 June 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630094802/http://www.take40.com/artists/143/1200-techniques/bio|url-status=dead}}</ref> They released their debut studio album, ''Choose One'', in March 2002.
AllMusic's Jody Macgregor wrote, "Although Australia had an underground hip-hop scene starting in the late '80s, it wasn't until 2001 that it began to be recognized by the mainstream of Australian music. 1200 Techniques were an important part of that moment, with charting singles, appearances on TV shows like John Safran's Music Jamboree, and a sound that contained an eclectic blend of rock, dance, and funk influences to win over those Australians unconvinced their country had a place as a producer of quality hip-hop music."<ref name="Mcgregor">{{cite web | url = https://www.allmusic.com/artist/1200-techniques-mn0000639572 | title = 1200 Techniques {{!}} Biography & History | last = Mcgregor | first = Jody | publisher = AllMusic | access-date = 29 September 2020 }}</ref> The group disbanded in 2005 and reformed in 2014.
==History== Brothers DJ Peril (Jason Foretti) and Kemstar (Simon Foretti) were involved in Australian hip hop, since the early 1980s as pre-teens.<ref name="Drever">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171538/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/1200-techniques-sticks-to-its-game-plan-producing-raucous-hiphop-tracks-20150119-12rk9v.html | url = https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/1200-techniques-sticks-to-its-game-plan-producing-raucous-hiphop-tracks-20150119-12rk9v.html | title = 1200 Techniques Sticks to Its Game Plan, Producing Raucous Hip-hop Tracks | last = Drever | first = Andrew | publisher = | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | archive-date = 28 December 2017 | date = 22 January 2015 | access-date = 29 September 2020 | url-status = live | url-access = subscription }}</ref><ref name="Nimmervoll">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120319215300/http://www.howlspace.com.au/en4/1200techniques/1200techniques.htm | url = http://www.howlspace.com.au/en2/1200techniques/1200techniques.htm | title = 1200 Techniques | last1 = Nimmervoll | first1 = Ed | authorlink1 = Ed Nimmervoll | publisher = Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing | archive-date = 19 March 2012 | access-date = 29 September 2020 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> DJ Peril started with the Island Boys, one of Melbourne's first ever hip hop crews and he was the DJ in a number of different bands: Big Pacific, Rollercoaster, Dub and Reggae, and Blow Sound Unit.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/><ref>{{cite web|title=DJ Peril w/ Suburban Intellect|url=http://imcmusic.net/artists/dj-peril-w-suburban-intellect/|work=International Music Concepts|accessdate=25 April 2013}}</ref>
Peril formed 1200 Techniques in 1997, as producer, percussionist and DJ, with the English-born brothers Nfamas (N'fa) on lead vocals and Kabba Foster-Jones on vocals.<ref name="Mcgregor"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The Foster-Jones brothers had moved from London to Perth in 1983, they were both in a hip-hop crew, Deadly Fresh, during the mid-1990s before relocating to Melbourne.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> When DJ Peril saw the duo working with another band, he approached them, "I thought they were wasting their talent."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The group's name references, "the Technics 1200 turntable the name also represents the multi-direction attitude of the group's music."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Kemstar joined soon after, Kabba then returned to London in 1999.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Kabba's vocals can still, however, be heard on some of the group's early tracks, "Don't Stop".<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=1200 Techniques|url=http://imcmusic.net/artists/1200-techniques/|work=International Music Concepts|accessdate=25 April 2013}}</ref> 1200 Techniques continued with the three remaining core members, recruiting a drummer for live shows.
In 2001, 1200 Techniques were signed to an independent label called Rubber Records and they released their debut Extended Play titled ''Infinite Style''. The lead single from the EP "Hard as Hell" was released and had a low budget video clip which saw the song receive national recognition on Triple J.<ref>{{cite web|title=1200 Techniques|url=http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/artist/12501|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054049/http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/artist/12501|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 March 2016|work=Waterfront Records|accessdate=25 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/1200TECHNIQUES/about|title=1200 Techniques about|website=Facebook|accessdate=11 February 2020}}</ref>
In April 2002, the band released the single "Karma", the lead single from their debut studio album ''Choose One''. "Karma" became a crossover success.<ref name="auto"/> ''Choose One'' was released in June and peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Charts. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2002, the group were nominated for five awards, with "Karma" winning Best Independent Release and Best Video.<ref name=aria-2002>{{cite web |title=2002 ARIA Award Winners |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2002 |work=ARIA Awards website |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |accessdate=25 April 2013 |archivedate=11 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211125021/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also in 2002, the band won Best Debut Artist and Best Hip Hop Act at the Dance Music Awards.<ref name="Mcgregor"/> The group supported Linkin Park on their 2002 Australian tour that year and headlined their own tour with support by American rapper Princess Superstar.
Their second album ''Consistency Theory'' was released in January 2004, and peaked at No. 38 on the ARIA album chart. Three singles were released from the album and all appeared on the ARIA singles chart. Following the album's release, the group appeared at the Big Day Out festival in early 2004. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2004, the lead single "Eye of the Storm" was nominated for two awards. The group went on hiatus in 2005 to allow the individual members to pursue solo work.<ref name="Mcgregor"/> In October 2014, the group reformed and announced the release of a new extended play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allaussiehiphop.com/2014/10/28/1200-techniques-announce-pledgemusic-campaign-and-new-ep-time-has-come/|title=1200 Techniques Announce PledgeMusic Campaign And New EP Time Has Come |website=All Aussie Hip Hop|date=28 October 2014|accessdate=11 February 2020}}</ref> After a successful fundraising campaign on PledgeMusic, the band released ''Time Has Come'' in January 2015.<ref name="AHearn">{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/entertainment/article/return-1200-techniques |title=The Return of 1200 Techniques |first=Sean |last=A'Hearn |website=Broadsheet |date=28 September 2025 |access-date=28 January 2025 }}</ref>
==Band members== * Jason Mark Foretti<ref name="APRA Hard">{{cite web | publisher = APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) | title = Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Hard as Hell' | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Hard%20as%20Hell&writer=&performer=1200%20Techniques | access-date = 28 January 2025 }}</ref> {{abbr|p.k.a.|performer known as}} DJ Peril: Founder, producer, turntablist, percussionist * N'Fa Deynde Jo Jo Forster-Jones<ref name="APRA Hard" /> {{abbr|p.k.a.|performer known as}} Nfamas: vocals * Kabba Adewale Verne Forster-Jones<ref name="APRA Hard" /> {{abbr|p.k.a.|performer known as}} MC Kabba: vocals (rapping) {{Small|(1997–1999)}} * Simon Chris Foretti<ref name="APRA Hard" /> {{abbr|p.k.a.|performer known as}} Kemstar: guitar
==Solo careers== DJ Peril released a solo album, ''King of the Beats'' in 2006, which includes the singles "It's About to Blow" and "Rock Ya Baby". the latter featuring singer Rahsaan Patterson.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}
Nfamas released a solo album, as N'fa, called ''Cause An Effect'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inthemix.com.au/music/27725/Nfa_Cause_An_Effect |website=inthemix|title=Album Review: N'fa: ''Cause An Effect''|date=2006|accessdate=11 February 2020}}</ref> Both of the album's video clips were directed by his friend, actor Heath Ledger.
Kemstar played guitar with his band ''Quarter 2 Nine'' circa 1990 as well with the Australian supergroup The Jack (with members of You Am I, Grinspoon, The Living End, Spiderbait, and Sender) for the 2004 ''Thunderstruck'' film soundtrack, performing on the songs "Crash & Burn" and "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)".{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}
==Discography== === Studio albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| AUS<br /><ref name="ARIA Charts">{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=1200+Techniques&cat=a |title=ARIA Charts 1200 Techniques |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Choose One'' | * Released: March 2002 * Label: Rubber Records (RUB137) * Formats: CD | 20 |- ! scope="row"| ''Consistency Theory'' | * Released: January 2003 * Label: Rubber Records (RUB159) * Formats: CD, 2xLP, CD+DVD | 38 |}
=== Compilation albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of compilation albums, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''1200 Techniques'' | * Released: August 2006 * Label: Tronador Music (TMSS36-2) * Formats: CD |}
=== Extended plays === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of EPs, with selected details ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:20em;"| EP details |- ! scope="row"| ''Infinite Styles'' | * Released: 2001 * Label: Rubber (RUB131) * Formats: CD, LP |- ! scope="row"| ''Time Has Come'' | * Released: February 2015 * Label: Rubber (RUB289) * Formats: CD, download, streaming |}
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| AUS<br /><ref name="ARIA Singles Charts">Peak chart positions for singles on the ARIA Charts: *For all except noted: {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=1200+Techniques|title=Discography 1200 Techniques|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=23 October 2022}} * "Eye of the Storm" {{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue701.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20030807-0000/Issue701.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-08-06|title=The ARIA Report 701|date=28 July 2003|accessdate=11 February 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} * "Fork in the Road" {{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/ISSUE755.pdf |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20041019140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20041020-0000/ISSUE755.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-10-19 |title= The ARIA Report 755|date= 16 August 2004|accessdate=11 February 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Hard as Hell" | 2001 | — | ''Infinite Styles'' |- ! scope="row"| "Karma (What Goes Around)" | 2002 | 36 | ''Choose One'' |- ! scope="row"| "Eye of the Storm" | rowspan="2" | 2003 | 84 | rowspan="3" | ''Consistency Theory'' |- ! scope="row"| "Where Ur At" | 35 |- ! scope="row"| "Fork in the Road" | 2004 | 55 |- ! scope="row"| "Time Has Come"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/rubberrecords/1200-techniques-time-has-come|title=1200 Techniques - Time Has Come by Rubber Records - Free Listening on SoundCloud|quote=First single from the forthcoming ''Time Has Come'' EP}}</ref> | rowspan="2" | 2015 | — | rowspan="2" | ''Time Has Come'' |- ! scope="row"| "Flow Is Trouble" {{small|(featuring Ghostface Killah)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/flow-is-trouble-feat-ghostface-killah-single/1041905261|title=Flow Is Trouble (single) |website=Apple Music|date=2 October 2015 |accessdate=11 February 2020}}</ref> | — |}
==Awards== ===ARIA Music Awards=== The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. 1200 Techniques have won two awards from eight nominations. {{awards table}} |- | rowspan="5"| 2002 | ''Choose One'' | Breakthrough Artist - Album | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"| "Karma" | Breakthrough Artist - Single | {{nom}} |- | Best Dance Release | {{nom}} |- | Best Independent Release | {{won}} |- | Michael Gracey and Babyfoot Productions for "Karma" | Best Video | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2003 | rowspan="2"| "Eye of the Storm" | Best Dance Release | {{nom}} |- | Best Independent Release | {{nom}} |- | 2004 | ''Consistency Theory'' | Best Urban Album | {{nom}} |- {{end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1200 Techniques}} Category:Australian hip-hop groups Category:ARIA Award winners